The Captain is Out To Lunch....missing pages!

zoom man

zoom man

Founding member
I've got the 1st paperback edition of this book, and was so upset reading it because toward the end, entire pages were blank! Is this just a 1st edition thing? Can someone e-mail me the missing pages!? :D I am serious, I've never known how the story ended! Maybe this is a super valuable copy :rolleyes: But I want to know what happens!
(Pages that are blank->118, 119, 122, 123, 126, 127, 130, 131, 134, 135, 136, 138, cripes 139, 142 and 143! Christ, I'm even more upset now!:)
 
mjp

mjp

Founding member
Hmm, I'll have to check mine. But I was a printer for 15 years, and I can tell you that it's possible to have bindery errors like that in only a few copies.

Interesting note about that book -- all of those journal entries first appeared as special sections spread over a few years of ONTHEBUS magazine. When they first appeared I wrote editor Jack Grapes and asked him if it was his idea to have Bukowski write those. He said that it was indeed his idea.

Recently I read somewhere that John Martin was taking credit for the Bukowski journal entries that became The Captain Is Out To Lunch..., which is a pretty ballsy (and lame) move on his part.
 
cirerita

cirerita

Founding member
I always assumed it was John Martin's idea because that's what I read in different places... though I never asked him about that.
 
HenryChinaski

HenryChinaski

Founding member
zoom man said:
I've got the 1st paperback edition of this book, and was so upset reading it because toward the end, entire pages were blank! Is this just a 1st edition thing?
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Yeah I think so. I have the 2nd paperback edition and none of those pages are blank.
 
hoochmonkey9

hoochmonkey9

Art should be its own hammer.
Moderator
Founding member
I have the BSP first paperback edition and it's not missing any pages.
 
S

SamDusky

Founding member
zoom man said:
I've got the 1st paperback edition of this book, and was so upset reading it because toward the end, entire pages were blank! (Pages that are blank->118, 119, 122, 123, 126, 127, 130, 131, 134, 135, 136, 138, cripes 139, 142 and 143! Christ, I'm even more upset now!:)
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Greetings Zoom,


I have a perfect solution for you: sell it on e-bay as an authenticated rarity and ask a few thousand dollars for it. Mis-printed stamps are considered a rarity (20 cent airmail with reversed airplane on it is over $2 mil). You never know who might think the same about books. I know this seems like a dumb idea, but Buk never went broke underestimating the American consumer (or something like that). I'd loan you my ecco version, but the postage to NY would cost more than a used copy (bought mine for $8.50).

Good luck and good night,

SamDusky
 
zoom man

zoom man

Founding member
SamDusky said:
I know this seems like a dumb idea, but Buk never went broke underestimating the American consumer (or something like that).
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That doesn't sound dumb to me Sam! But damn, too late, it's already part of the lot, but I think I will revise it! Thanks
ERic
 
zoom man

zoom man

Founding member
HenryChinaski said:
a hundred dollars shipping for 5 books?
eric, what planet are you living on?
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It was a joke (because I said there is no reserve) and that's why I typed LOL afterwards.... If you look at the shipping description it says $15 which includes priority mail, delivery confirmation and insurance.
If people really think I was charging 100 bucks :eek: they don't deserve the books anyway!:D
Eric
 
HenryChinaski

HenryChinaski

Founding member
I was gettin ready to say...
I mean, I didnt look at any of the auctions except for the It Catches My Heart In It's Hands
looks like you got a really nice copy there.
 
mjp

mjp

Founding member
I finally checked mine and it's all there. You have a bindery error. It was an oversight at the printers, and yeah, for some reason that I can't wrap my brain around, people are fascinated by those, and when it comes to things like stamps or baseball cards, they pay a premium for them. Go figure. All it means to me is someone wasn't paying attention in the shop that day. ;)
 
HenryChinaski

HenryChinaski

Founding member
WOW in one sense, I'd feel ripped off but in another sense, it could be a blessing in disguise. You might find somebody to pay an arm and a leg for it, I'd keep it though.
 
zoom man

zoom man

Founding member
Shit! What do I do?! :confused: Revise the item (and hope the bidders see it) or yank it... I'd have to find a first paperback printing quick! It is part of a lot of 5 firsts that ends in 3 days. I only have one other 1st paperback that I could replace it with (Roominghouse Madrigals, which to the bidder, would be even more enticing....) but I'm not sure that's allowed. Anyone know much about e-bay?
I kind of understand $ being printed upside down/etc. being worth more (but jesus, what was it? $30,000 paid for just such a 20 dollar bill!!), and stamps too, but books?! God, who would want one you can't read? I guess the collectors who collect the highest end, where if you open the damned thing it loses some value LOL Ok guys, thanks for the info, but I need more help now. What the hell do I do?!
 
zoom man

zoom man

Founding member
All 3 of my lots of 1sts have bids! (1 buyer in France, another London!)

But oh I got lucky, just got off the phone with a used book seller in the city here... he's got a 1st soft for $12.50....

Thinking about listing this copy alone now, with a buy it now at some astonishing price.... but then watch me get to the city tomorrow, only to buy a similar copy! Ah, maybe take the chance... Thanks!:)
 
zoom man

zoom man

Founding member
mjp said:
I finally checked mine and it's all there. You have a bindery error. It was an oversight at the printers, and yeah, for some reason that I can't wrap my brain around, people are fascinated by those, and when it comes to things like stamps or baseball cards, they pay a premium for them. Go figure. All it means to me is someone wasn't paying attention in the shop that day. ;)
Click to expand...

Hey mjp, and Sam, can I quote you guys when I re-list my The Captain Is Out.....
(my people will talk to your people, LOL)
Can't wait to get a hold of the copy tomorrow....
 
zoom man

zoom man

Founding member
Well, it didn't sell,...
My opening price was $49.95
Would have been happy with that.
I did have 4 'watchers' so thought maybe those e-bay snipers might emerge in the end, really got kind of excited about it actually,
But no go, it's still mine
 
mjp

mjp

Founding member
That doesn't mean it wouldn't sell next month or next week. ;) Always new eyes on ebay. And even people who are on there very often miss a week here and there...
 
zoom man

zoom man

Founding member
Damn, you're right!
It just sold :D
And of course it couldn't be a nice easy shipping w/i the states....
My buyer is in AUSTRALIA :eek:
 
mjp

mjp

Founding member
That's a pretty good price for a book I would have taken back to the store for a replacement. ;)
 
zoom man

zoom man

Founding member
No, I had the opening at $49.99
And just the one bid
But I'm totally happy......
Shouldn't say that though till I get paid :D
 
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